Bathing suit



Oct. 8, 1929. J. o. FORD BATHING s UIT Filed Feb. 1o, 1928 5MM fafa/J 3&1

Patented Oct. 8, 1929 wenn A T @FFEQ PATE JAMES O. FORD, OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA BATI-IIN G SUIT Application filed February 10, 1928. Serial No. 253,466.

This invention relates to bathing suits and more particularly to a bathing suit construction permitting the use of air pads to provide a buoyant support for the swimmer.

An important obj ect of the invention is to provide a construction of' this character such that the air bags are effectually concealed and that the pockets in which they are disposed are also concealed, so that in event they are not used, the bathing suit will not present an unsightly appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is so formed that the pads may be arranged to conceal a deformity such as a protruding stomach or enlarged bust.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily and cheaply manufactured and which 2o will be durable and efficient in service.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation partially broken away showing a bathing suit constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; y

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view showing a slightly modified air pad formation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing-,the numeral 10 designates a bathing suithaving formed in the interior thereof plurality of pockets 11 adapted to contain substantially rectangular air pads 12 and having means 13 whereby they may be fastened at their open ends to prevent escape of the air pad therefrom. Such pockets are provided both at the front and rear of the garment and are preferably similarly arranged thereon. A pair of transversely aligned pockets may be provided at the chest section, a transversely extending pocket at the upper abdominal section and a pair of smaller pockets at the lower abdominal section. The

pads 12 may be placed in all or only a portion of the pockets and if pads are placed in all of 5 these pockets, they may be differently inflated to compensate for deformities or unusual development of a portion of the anatomy. For example, where the stomach is abnormally developed, the pads of the chest pockets may be considerably inflated and those of the abdominal section either entirely omitted or only slightly inflated. The pockets at the rear secton are preferably similarly arranged, so that the pads may be interchangeable. If desired, a single pocket may be provided both at the front and back of the garment and a single pad 14 divided into a plurality of sections 15 used therein, as more clearly shown in Figure 3. Each section of the single pad will be provided with an inflating tube 16 and valve 17, so that the inflation of the various sections may be carried to a desired point. The pads are preferably formed of sheetrubber and carefully vulcanized to render the same airtight.

Since the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially depart ing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim A bathing suit the front wall of which is provided at its inner face with a pair of transversely aligned pockets disposed at the chest section of the wall, a transversely extending pocket extending across the upper abdominal section'of the wall and a pair of smaller transversely aligned pockets at the lower abdominal section of the wall,y the rear wall of the suit having similarly arranged pockets, and inflatable pads disposed within and substantially fitting said pockets.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES O. FORD. 

